Body of former Telekom Malaysia’s employee to arrive in KLIA today
LONDON: The body of former Telekom Malaysia Bhd employee Sharom Abu Bakar, 63, has been flown back to Malaysia, where he will be buried in his hometown in Muar.
Sharom was taken ill on arrival in London on June 25 and was in the Intensive Care Unit at Hillingdon Hospital in West London until he died of liver failure in the early hours of July 10.
Accompanying the body back on the morning Malaysia Airlines flight was his eldest son, Mohd Sharedza, 37, who had stayed on to look after him.
After his death, Sharedza got his father’s death certificate and corner’s certificate before he could arrange for the body to be taken to the East London mosque for prayers and preparation to be taken to Heathrow Airport last night.
“Alhamdulillah, everything has been smooth. The treatment given by the hospital was excellent. I had assistance from the Malaysian High Commission, staff of Education Malaysia and members of the Malaysian community in London. Everyone has been so helpful,” said Sharedza at the mosque yesterday.
Sharedza had accompanied his late father, mother Hasnah Mustaffa, aunt and another couple to London after his father voiced his wish to visit the city.
“It was a treat for him after he was in hospital earlier this year,” said he, adding that his father had bought travel insurance.
Sharedza bought tickets for his parents to go back when his father looked “drowsy and weak” on arrival here. However, Sharom was taken off the flight when a doctor was called to examine his condition. His mother and the rest of the party left for home a few days later.
At Hillingdon Hospital, Sharom recovered briefly, but had an infection. A procedure was done to remove the fluid. Sharom did not recover.
Sharedza started a GoFundMe campaign to help with hospital costs. Well-wishers have donated £13,170 to date. The hospital bill is understood to be £34,865.
Sharedza expressed his appreciation for those who had donated, as well as those who were there when he needed help. The flight is expected to land at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 7am today, and the body will be taken by ambulance to Muar.